This Week in Little Bighorn History

George B. Herendeen (left) died on June 17, 1919, in Havre, Montana, and was buried in Harlem Cemetery in Harlem, Montana. He was a Scout who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Henry James Nowlan was born on June 18, 1837, on the Corfu Ionian Islands. He was a First Lieutenant with the Quartermaster who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Ferdinand Klawitter was born in Conitz, Berlin, Germany, on June 19, 1836. He was a Private with Company B who was not present due to detached service.

Charles William Larned (right) died on June 19, 1911, in Danville, New York, and was buried in the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery at West Point, New York. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Charles L. Anderson deserted on June 20, 1876, while on detached service at the camp at the mouth of the Powder River. He was a Private in Company C.

Charles Albert Varnum (left) was born in Troy, New York, on June 21, 1849. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company A who commanded the scouts. He participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Luther Rector Hare married Virginia Hancock on June 21, 1878. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company K who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank K. Lombard died in San Diego, California, on June 21, 1917. His burial location remains unknown. He was a Private with the Band and was not present at the battle.

George Custer (right) met with General Alfred Terry and Colonel John Gibbon aboard the steamer Far West on June 21, 1876.

Frederick William Benteen died on June 22, 1898, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was originally buried in the Westview Cemetery in Atlanta but was reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery in November 1902. He was the Captain of Company H who commanded a battalion during the battle. He led a scouting party and was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Charles Welch

Charles H. Welch (left) died in LaSalle, Colorado, on June 22, 1915, and was buried in the Evans Cemetery in Evans, Colorado. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Michael C. Caddle was born on June 9, 1844, in Dublin, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service.

Joseph Bates, who was also known as John or Joseph Murphy, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 10, 1838. He was a Private with Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Elmer Babcock was born on June 10, 1856, in Pharsalia, Chenango County, New York. He was a Private in Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Samuel Davis Sturgis (left) was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1822. Colonel Sturgis was an 1846 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who was Commanding the 7th Regiment of Cavalry at the time of the battle but was on detached service in St. Louis, Missouri. Unfortunately, his son, Second Lieutenant James Garland Sturgis, was with Company E during the battle and was killed.

Edward D. Pigford was born on June 11, 1856, in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded during the valley and hilltop fights.

William Heyn (right) died in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 1910, and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a First Sergeant in Company A who was wounded in his left knee during the valley and hilltop fights.

Peter Eixenberger was born on June 12, 1860, in Munich, Germany. He was a Private with the Band, so he was not present at the battle.

Peter Gannon died at Fort Assinniboine, Montana Territory, on June 12, 1886. He was first buried in a cemetery there and later reinterred in the Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency, Montana. He was a Sergeant in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Michael Murphy died on June 12, 1904, at the Soldiers’ Home in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John H. Day died in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, on June 13, 1894, and was buried in the Old City Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company H who participated in the hilltop fight.

George Anderson was born on June 14, 1841, in St. Catherines, Canada. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John Samuel Ragsdale married Verna Bell Owen on June 14, 1926, but they divorced after 1940. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Christopher Pendle  (left) was born on June 15, 1849, in Bavaria, Germany. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James O’Neill was born in Liverpool, England, on June 15, 1851. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Charles Windolph, who was also known as Charles Wrangel, married Mary Jones on June 15, 1882. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart for his service during the battle. 

This Week in Little Bighorn History

John A. Bailey died in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 2, 1915, in an elevator accident. He was buried in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a saddler for Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

White Man Runs Him (left) died at Lodge Grass, Montana, on June 2, 1929, and was buried in Custer National Cemetery on the Crow Agency in Montana. He was a Scout who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Charles Ramsey was a Private in Company I who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight. He deserted from Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, on June 3, 1879.

Harry M. Krusee died on June 3, 1925, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service at the Powder River.

Black Calf (Hani-katil), who was also known as Boy Chief, died on June 4, 1922, in Armstrong, North Dakota. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column during the battle. He was buried with the name Boy Chief in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota.

Christopher Pendle (left) died on June 4, 1923, in Gardenville, Washington, and was cremated. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Crawford Selby was born on June 5, 1845, in Ashland County, Ohio. He was a Saddler with Company G who was killed during the retreat from the valley fight.

Michael John Walsh was born in Ireland on June 6, 1852. He was a Private in Company H who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

William M. Harris, a Medal of Honor recipient, died on June 6, 1885, in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky, during a gunfight. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight. He was buried in the Ballard/Jarman Cemetery in Bobtown, Madison County, Kentucky, and was later moved to the Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

John James Carey was born on June 7, 1853, in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

John Jordan Crittenden III (left) was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, on June 7, 1854. He was a Second Lieutenant with Company L who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Willis B. Wright was born on June 7, 1859, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a Private with Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Strikes the Bear (right) died in Ree, North Dakota, on June 7, 1929. He was an Arikara Scout who was with Reno’s Column when it crossed the river.

Bear Comes Out
 (Matokianpap), who was also known as Comes the Bear and Old Caddoo, died on June 8, 1878, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He was a Scout with Reno’s Column but did not cross the river.

Michael Crowe died at Fort Yates in the Dakota Territory on June 8, 1883, and was buried in Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk, Iowa. He was a Private in Company B who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

James W. Butler died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1924, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company F who was not present due to detached service.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Christian C. Boisen was born in Denmark on May 26, 1840. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Samuel James Foster died on May 26, 1884, in Manchester, Kentucky. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights and was wounded.

Levi Madison Thornberry died in Palmer Township, Ohio, on May 27, 1902, and was buried in Watertown Cemetery in Watertown, Ohio. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

John Stuart Stuart-Forbes was born on May 28, 1849, in Rugby, England. He was a Private with Company E who was killed with Custer’s Column.

William G. Abrams died in Sioux City, Iowa, on May 28, 1901, and was buried in Floyd Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Russell died in Letterman Hospital at the Presidio in San Francisco, California, on May 28, 1926, and was buried in the National Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

William Winer Cooke (left) was born on May 29, 1846, in Mt. Pleasant, Ontario, Canada. He was a First Lieutenant who served as the Regimental Adjutant. He was killed with Custer’s Column.

Winfield Scott Edgerly (right) was born in Farmington, New Hampshire, on May 29, 1846. He was a Second Lieutenant in Company L who participated in scouting duty and in the hilltop fight.

Charles Theodore Wiedman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1855, and died on May 15, 1921, in Oatman, Arizona. He was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Kingman, Arizona. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights, during which he was wounded.

May 30, 1876 – George Custer, Tom Custer, and Companies C, D, F & M scouted the Little Missouri River.

Henry Jackson was born on May 31, 1837, in Canterbury, England. He was a First Lieutenant in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John J. “Jack” Mahoney (left) was born in Cork, Ireland, on May 31, 1845. He was a Private in Company C who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Goes Ahead  (right) died at the Crow Agency in Montana on May 31, 1919, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was a Scout who rode with Custer’s Column and participated in the hilltop fight.

Otto Emil Voit died on June 1, 1906, in Louisville, Kentucky, and was buried in Saint Stephens Cemetery there. He was a saddler for Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his assistance in getting water for the wounded.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Herbert H. Arnold was born on May 19, 1853, in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He was a Private in Company C who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn due to detached service at Fort Abraham Lincoln.

Hiram Erastus Brown, who was also known as Erastus Graves Brown, died in Watervliet, New York, on May 20, 1904, and was buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, Albany County, New York.  He was a Private in Company F who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James Bustard was born on May 21, 1844, in Drumbar, County Donegal, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company I who was killed with Custer’s Column.

Thomas Mower McDougall (left) was born at Fort Crawford, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1845. He was a Captain, commanding Company B during the battle, and was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Hugo Findeisen died on May 21, 1881, at Fort Hamilton, New York, and was buried in the Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn. He was a Sergeant in Company L who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Curley (right) died of pneumonia at the Crow Agency in Montana on May 21, 1923, and was buried in the Custer National Cemetery there. He was a Scout who rode with Custer’s Column.

Louis Baumgartner died on May 22, 1895, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital East Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

William Carson Williams, Jr. (left) died in Norfolk, Virginia, on May 22, 1919, and was buried in the New Vienna IOOF Cemetery in New Vienna, Ohio. He was a Private in Company H who was wounded in the hilltop fight.

Michael Vincent Sheridan was born on May 24, 1840, in Somerset, Ohio. He was the youngest brother of General Philip Henry Sheridan and often served on his staff. He was the Captain of Company L at the time of the battle but he was not present due to detached service.

William Clemens Slaper (right) married his wife Sarah on May 25, 1882. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Francis Johnson Kennedy (left), who was also known as Francis Johnson, was born on May 12, 1854, in Pacific, Missouri. He was a Private in Company I who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Strikes the Bear (right) died on May 12, 1929, in Ree, North Dakota, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. He fought with Reno, and he changed his name to Red Star after the battle.

Jacob Adams died in Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, on May 13, 1934, and was buried in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company H who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Charles Banks died on May 14, 1901, in Highland Falls, New York, and was buried in the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery at West Point. He was a Private in Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

Andrew Connor died on May 14, 1911, in at the Government Hospital for the Insane in Washington, D.C. He was a Private in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Charles Theodore Wiedman died on May 15, 1921, in Oatman, Arizona, and was buried five days later at the Mountain View Cemetery in Kingman, Arizona. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley fight and was wounded in the hilltop fight,

James Hurd was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, on May 16, 1850. He was a Private in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Ami Cheever was born on May 16, 1851, in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company L who was killed during the hilltop fight.

George Eiseman was born on May 16, 1854, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Private in Company C who was killed with Custer’s Column and was buried on Last Stand Hill.

The Seventh Cavalry left Fort Abraham Lincoln on May 17, 1876.

Ferdinand Klawitter (left) died in Nax, North Dakota, on May 17, 1924, and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bismarck, North Dakota. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

May 5, 1877Sitting Bull (left) led his people into Canada.

John C. Wagoner died on May 5, 1899, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was Chief Packer with the pack train and was wounded in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Frederick William Myers died in Washington, D.C. on May 5, 1900, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He was a Private in Company I who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

James E. Moore was born on May 6, 1849, in Hebron, Ohio. He was a Farrier with Company B who was with the pack train and later participated in the hilltop fight.

Charles Clinton Barnett was born on May 7, 1857, in Camden, Ohio. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

May 7, 1868 – The Treaty of Fort Laramie with the Crow was concluded.

John Fitzgerald died in New York City on May 7, 1900, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens County, New York. He was the Farrier for Company C who participated in the hilltop fight.

Soldier, an Arikara Scout, died on May 7, 1921, and was buried in the Indian Scout Cemetery in McLean County, North Dakota. His gravestone states, “Served his country as an Indian Scout.” He was with Reno’s Column, but he did not cross the river.

Good Elk (Wah-nee), an Arikara Scout who was also known as Red Bear, died in Nishu, North Dakota, on May 7, 1934. He participated in the valley fight.

Charles Sanders was born on May 8, 1842, in Altenberg, Germany. He was a Private in Company D who served as the Orderly for Lt. Edgerly and participated in the hilltop fight.

Edward Garlick was born in Chertsey, England, on May 8, 1846. He was the First Sergeant for Company G who was on furlough at the time of the battle.

Jeremiah Campbell died on May 8, 1884, in Decatur, Illinois, and was buried in Westside Cemetery in Moweaqua, Shelby County, Illinois. He was a Sergeant in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Thomas Wellesley Causby (left) was born on May 9, 1848, in Liverpool, England. He was the Staff Quartermaster Sergeant, but he was not present at the battle due to detached service.

May 9, 1887Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show Opened in London

Jasper R. Marshall died in Pleasant Hill, Ohio, on May 9, 1920, and was buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

May 10, 1868 – The Treaty of Fort Laramie with the Cheyenne and Arapahoe was concluded.

William Earl Smith died on May 10, 1918, in South Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Brookside Cemetery there. He was a Corporal with Company B who was with the pack train and was wounded during the hilltop fight.

Charles H. Bishop was born in Washington, D.C., on May 11, 1854. He was a Private with Company H who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

George Hose was born on April 29, 1850, in Hesse Cassel, Germany. He was a Corporal with Company K who participated in the hilltop fight during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Morris Cain was born on April 29, 1857, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

The Treaty of Laramie with the Sioux was concluded on April 29, 1868.

Latrobe Bromwell died on April 29, 1923, in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company E who was not present at the battle due to illness.

Henry Moore Harrington (left) was born on April 30, 1849, in Albion, New York. He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who served the Seventh Cavalry as a Second Lieutenant with Company C. He was killed with Custer’s Column, but his body was never positively identified.

Benjamin Beck died on April 30, 1910, in Camden, New Jersey, and was buried in Bethel Memorial Park in Pennsauken, New Jersey. He was a Private with the Band, so he was not present on the campaign.

John R. Gray died in Worcester, Massachusetts, on April 30, 1915. He was a Private in Company B who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

William Ephraim Morris (left) was born on May 1, 1854, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Private in Company M who was wounded while participating in the valley and hilltop fights.

Michael C. Caddle died in Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 1, 1919, and was buried at the Fort Rice Cemetery in North Dakota. He was a Sergeant in Company I but was not present at the battle due to detached service.

Henry August Lange died on May 1, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery there. He was a Private with Company E who was with the pack train and in the hilltop fight.

Daniel Carroll died in Chicago on May 2, 1910, and was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery there. He was a Sergeant with Company B at the time of the battle, but he was not present there due to detached service.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

James Flanagan died in Mandan, North Dakota, on April 21, 1921, and was buried in the Mandan Union Cemetery. He was a Sergeant in Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Edmund H. Burke died on April 21, 1925 in Sumner, Bremer County, Iowa, and was buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery there. He was a blacksmith for Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

Charles A. Crandall died on April 23, 1885, in New York City and was buried in the Brookdale Cemetery in Brookdale, Pennsylvania. He was a Corporal with Company C who was not present at the Battle of the Little Bighorn because he was on detached service.

William James Bailey (left), who was also known as William Baker, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, on April 24, 1850. He was a Private and served as a scout. He was not present at the battle because he was on the steamer Far West. [Photograph courtesy of Sherian Grant Kennedy.]

George Anson Merritt (right) died on April 24, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum in River Grove, Cook County, Illinois. He was a Private with the Band and, therefore, was not at the battle.

Wilber F. Blair died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 25, 1918, and was buried at the Lewisburg Cemetery in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He was a Private with Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Jasper Marshall was born on April 26, 1852, in Spring Valley, Ohio. He was a Private with Company L who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

James P. McNally died in St. Paul, Minnesota, on April 26, 1893, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. He was a Private with Company I who was with the pack train and participated in the hilltop fight.

William O’Mann died on April 26, 1901, in Fargo, North Dakota. He was a Private with Company D who participated in the hilltop fight.

Benjamin Franklin Burdick was born on April 27, 1851, in Grafton, Rensselaer County, New York. He was a Private with Company A who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

Henry Armstrong “Autie” Reed (left) was born in Monroe, Michigan, on April 27, 1858. He was a civilian who was hired to accompany the Seventh on the campaign. He was the son of Lydia Custer Reed, the sister of George, Tom, and Boston Custer.

This Week in Little Bighorn History

Patrick Carey was born on April 14, 1828, in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Sergeant in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

John Dolan (left), who was also known as Thomas Brown, was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 14, 1843. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

John W. Sweeney died in Kentucky on April 14, 1884. He was a Private in Company F who participated in the hilltop fight.

Daniel Kanipe (right) was born on April 15, 1853, in Marion, North Carolina. He was a Sergeant in Company C who was with Custer’s Column and in the hilltop fight.

Walter Scott Sterland was born on April 16, 1851, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. He was a Private in Company M who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service at Yellowstone Depot.

Roman Rutten died on April 16, 1925, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and was buried in the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights. He was wounded on Reno Hill.

Charles Stillman Ilsley died on April 17, 1899, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He was a Captain in Company E who was not present at the battle due to detached service.

August Bockerman died on April 17, 1904, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was a Private in Company A who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

William G. Hardy (left) died in San Francisco, California, on April 17, 1919, and was buried in the National Cemetery there, the Presidio. He was a trumpeter in Company A who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Frank W. Sniffin died at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, on April 17, 1931, and was buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Tennessee. He was a Private in Company M who participated in the valley and hilltop fights.

Jacob Horner married Kathryn Stewart at Fort Totten on April 18, 1880. He was a Private in Company K who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

Edward Hall was born on April 19, 1851, in Winfield, New York. He was a Private in Company G who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service.

Joseph Kretchmer died on April 19, 1928 in Washington, D.C., and was buried in the Soldiers’ Home National Cemetery there. He was a Private in Company D who was wounded during the hilltop fight.

John Foley was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 20, 1839. He was a Private in Company K who participated in the hilltop fight.

John E. Quinn, who was also known as John Gorham, was born on April 20, 1852, in Hartford, Connecticut. He was a Private in Company D who was not present at the battle because he was on detached service at the Powder River Depot.